This classic meditation on love, sex and marriage tells a tender story from the perspective and discretion of an enduring love affair. The author reveals the unspoken dynamics of relationships, the emotional capacities of partners, and the understated pleasures that endow romance with longevity.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
It might sound salacious, but in fact this is "a remarkably thoughtful and philosophical little treatise" (LJ 9/15/68). Published in the Sixties, it originally sold over 100,000 copies and was reprinted in a small paperback edition last year. Now Random is doing a hardcover edition with a big print run-in time for the NBC movie starring Anne Bancroft.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Reading this book is like getting good advice from a close friend. Not only does the author have extremely good insight on relationships, but she also knows what it means to be happy in life whether you are by yourself or involved with another person. The most impressive facet of the book is that the author has realized that there is no one right way to live and thus manages to convey her ideas in such a way that no matter what the reader's mindset is at the outset, each and every person will leave the book with a slightly different and equally poignant message. Anyone in a serious relationship and considering questions about monogamy and lifetime committment should definitely read this book. I know that it will profoundly effect the way I approach my relationships in the future and I think its words will give more that just a few clues on the mysterious realms of love and happiness.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Don't be fooled by the title: this book isn't just for old mistresses or young wives. Beautifully spoken - you get the feeling that the old mistress is talking to you - the book moves and touches, giving you a glimpse of yourself more than once. Several times I found myself stopping, reflecting, and smiling to myself at the profundity of the book. Her insights into the strengths and traps of marriages and fundamentally each person's decision to be responsible for his or her own choices in life brings many blurred life lines into focus. I would recommend this book to everyone who wants a better understanding of how love works in the real world.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Wonderfull book. I am a young man who recently ended a relationship with a much older woman. This book helped me to understand why.
In the end, we are only responsbile for ourselves, make ourselves worthy of love, open to love.
You can't change others, you can only change yourself, stand back and hope and pray for magic to come into your life.
And if it doesn't....then sadily, it was not meant to be.
Love is not for sissys. It is hard, hard work.
But it is wonderfull stuff and once you've tasted it...it's hard to go back.
In the end, we are only responsbile for ourselves, make ourselves worthy of love, open to love.
You can't change others, you can only change yourself, stand back and hope and pray for magic to come into your life.
And if it doesn't....then sadily, it was not meant to be.
Love is not for sissys. It is hard, hard work.
But it is wonderfull stuff and once you've tasted it...it's hard to go back.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Did not like it.
I am unsure what I was expecting but this was not a good story. I did not care for the authors viewpoint. She was hard to relate too and not easily liked.
Published 3 months ago by aa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Should be required reading for every woman! Possibly one of the best books on the subject of relationship I have ever read.
Published 6 months ago by raynera
5.0 out of 5 stars
Words of Wisdom
"Matthew once said to me, in a fit I suppose of home-grown annoyance, though I did not ask, 'If you ever want me to leave you, do housework. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Terri J. Rice
5.0 out of 5 stars
Advice for all........
This is such a lovely little book and has such wisdom. It shows how to balance work and play, have passion without being overly attached, how to give relationship the time and deep... Read more
Published 21 months ago by KYM GRANT
1.0 out of 5 stars
What a disappointment
I was so excited when i ordered this manual (so to speak). Instead of it helping me, it confused me more than anything.. Read more
Published 23 months ago by shablee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
Very beautifully written. I won't write much but I will just say how profoundly this book is changing the way I perceive my own marriage. Read more
Published on December 4, 2009 by R. Fritschle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very profound book . . .
No matter your views of extramarital relationships, this book has very profound advice for women, single or married; and it boils down to a few simple philosophies:
1. Read more
1. Read more
Published on September 1, 2009 by S. G. Harden
5.0 out of 5 stars
8th copy that I have purchased
Every time that I lend this book out, it never comes back to me.
Every woman that I have lent it to seems to permanently adopt this novel because of its candor and honestly... Read more
Every woman that I have lent it to seems to permanently adopt this novel because of its candor and honestly... Read more
Published on April 23, 2009 by T. Hughes
5.0 out of 5 stars
I read and reread this book regularly
My copy of this book is tattered, the print on my favorite passages nearly rubbed away from all the times I refer back to them. Read more
Published on October 17, 2007 by Mary Eastham
4.0 out of 5 stars
Timeless insights and advice
Love this when I read it 30+ years ago and still do. Often recommend it to young women now. Favorite quote when she says "you make me so happy" and he replies, "no ,don't make... Read more
Published on January 26, 2007 by S. Case
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